The Pakistan Army field hospital which was set up at Bhandaria, Barisal and Bangladesh for relief operations after cyclone “Sidr” worked day and night to mitigate the sufferings of flood-affected people, earning goodwill for the country. A Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying the field hospital, doctors, paramedics and life-saving drugs was the first to land in Dhaka. The hospital was established in one of the worst-affected areas where it operated for over three weeks, said an ISPR press release issued here Monday.

The field hospital, staffed by 11 specialists, five lady doctors, six general duty doctors and 37 paramedics, was established in the cyclone-hit district, Bhandaria. Mobile medical teams were formed which treated patients on their doorsteps.

The 30-bed hospital, established at Bhandaria College, was self-sufficient and had the capability to treat over 800 outdoor patients and conduct 25 surgeries in a day. It consisted of an operation theatre, X-ray unit, ultrasound machine, field laboratory, dental unit, orthopaedic unit and a medical store.

Pakistan Army doctors and paramedics treated more than 37,000 patients and conducted 30 major and 400 minor operations during their stay in Bangladesh.

The members of Pakistan Army field hospital called on Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed and Lt-Gen Masud-ud-Din Chaudhry in Dhaka. General Moeen U Ahmed lauded the efforts of the Pakistan Army field hospital.

Communications Adviser Maj-Gen (r) MA Matin and Jesore General Officer Commanding Maj-Gen Rafiqul lslam visited the field hospital in Bhandaria and appreciated the gesture of the Pakistan government to treat the cyclone victims.

The visiting dignitaries lauded the efforts of Pakistani doctors and paramedics who worked tirelessly to provide relief to those in distress.

The government of Bangladesh also praised Pakistan Army doctors and paramedics for their help. Before the return of the Pakistani troops to Pakistan, a farewell ceremony was organised by Bangladesh Armed Forces Division (AFD) in honor of Pakistani doctors and paramedics.

The defense attaché of Pakistan presented over 8 tons of medicines to the director, Medical Services, Bangladesh Army.